Food Access Manager, LEAP Connie Kenny grew up in Bedford County and has lived in the Roanoke Valley for 35 years. Connie now lives in Botetourt County with her lovely family. Her daughter has many food sensitivities and Connie’s search for solutions brought her to the local food market. Soon, this search turned into a [...]

Director of Programs for Virginia Community Food Connections Beth Austin is the Director of Programs for Virginia Community Food Connections and oversees development and operations of VCFC’s Virginia Fresh Match, Veggie Voucher, and Farm to Pantry programs. Beth is a former farmers market manager and has a master’s degree in Nutrition and Integrative Health. She [...]

Director of Programs, Shalom Farms Alistar Harris is a food systems change worker investing in practices which center liberation and collaboration. As an immigrant to the U.S., he places high value on diverse views, curiosity, and openness to change. He has a background in experiential learning, leadership development, agricultural food production, and network building. As [...]

Virginia Fresh Match Director of Operations Sam Hedges graduated from the University of the South with a BA in Religion and zero essential food skills. He found himself working on educational farms, restaurants, kitchens, and organic veggie farms in the ensuing decade, and, by the time he came to Virginia Fresh Match, knew a lot [...]

Virginia Fresh Match Director of Advocacy Elizabeth Borst has been a leader in food access programs and food system partnerships in Virginia for 14 years. As one of the state’s early nutrition incentive practitioners, Elizabeth helped develop Virginia Fresh Match, Virginia’s statewide Nutrition Incentive Network working alongside Maureen McNamara Best at LEAP. She is also [...]